Tuesday, November 27, 2007

SCORSESE/DICAPRIO/RUFFALO





Martin Scorsese (GOODFELLAS, THE DEPARTED) is set to direct Leo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo in the crime thriller SHUTTER ISLAND. Based on the novel by MYSTIC RIVER and GONE BABY GONE author Dennis Lehane, SHUTTER ISLAND takes place in Boston during the 1950's, and centers around two cops (DiCaprio and Ruffalo) who are investigating the disappearance of a mental patient from a local asylum. When a hurricane forms, the two cops are stranded on the island, as they uncover a twisted web of lies.
This sounds like an awesome combination of director, actors, and subject material. Scorsese, who directed last year's phenomenal Boston crime epic THE DEPARTED, has his Rolling Stones documentary SHINE A LIGHT set for release next April. Scorsese has long been my favorite filmmaker (GOODFELLAS is my absolute favorite movie of all time) and his efforts with DiCaprio (GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE AVIATOR, and THE DEPARTED) have all been nothing short of masterful. DiCaprio has fast become one of my favorite actors and one of the best movie stars of his generation. And Ruffalo, coming off career best work in ZODIAC and RESERVATION ROAD, seems like a natural fit for a film like SHUTTER ISLAND. Ruffalo, a diverse character actor who has been in everything from YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, IN THE CUT, COLLATERAL, and RUMOR HAS IT, is always good, even if the movie is subpar. It's his effortless charm that always wins me over.
Production on SHUTTER ISLAND begins next March so there's always the chance that the film could be ready next fall but I'd expect a release date of spring 2009 or summer 2009.

No comments: